There are a ton of wedding tasks to get done before your big day, and knowing how to approach them will help you get to the finish line faster. When gearing up to choose the perfect plus size bridal gowns, it’s important to know which bridal shops offer them, what to expect to do when you get there, who to bring, and how to choose the plus size wedding dress that shows off your gorgeous curves.

Countless bridal shops, for example David’s Bridal, offer lines that specialize in plus size gowns. Other shops may not, so make sure you know for sure that the stores you are about to visit offer plus size gowns.

Your goal when you make it to the shop is to try on as many dresses as you can. You can’t truly tell what a gown looks like until you slip it on. Step outside of your comfort zone and try on styles that you never imagined would compliment your body. Let go of your expectations, have fun, and essentially just play dress up until you land on the dress that feels like the one.

Bring a few of your bridesmaids with you to the bridal shops. The more eyes you have on your side, the quicker you’ll be able to say “nay” to the dresses that just don’t work. Have your friends take photos of you in various angles in each gown so that you can see what it would look like in your wedding photos.

Since one of your goals is most likely to accentuate and possibly hide certain curves, then choose the curves you want to highlight and ask for dresses that will do just that. There are specific wedding gown styles that are cut in a way that bring attention to certain areas of the body.

Floral wedding centerpieces are often described as the final touch to a wedding that can make it amazing or, well… slightly less than amazing. Although wedding flowers can get expensive, there are ways you can have beautiful floral arrangements without an exorbitant cost. Here are a few things to keep in mind when budgeting for your floral wedding centerpieces:

Give your florist flexibility to use what is in season. If there are certain flowers that you absolutely do not like, mention them; but otherwise, communicate the overall colors, height, and textures that you want your centerpieces to have. This will allow your florist to create the look you want without using the most expensive flowers. Also, try to think about the flowers that are in season and most readily available; these are usually the best deal.

For winter wedding centerpieces, consider getting married around the holidays, as churches are often already decorated with lights and greenery. However, if you want to avoid high flower costs, do not get married in February, as the cost of flowers skyrockets around Valentine’s Day.

Use vases that are high and dramatic on their own, which you can fill with other foliage such as branches. This will create an interesting arrangement (with a lot of design and texture) without having to fill the entire space with flowers.

Your wedding might seem like a tangled web of complicated to-dos at first glance, which is why a simple wedding planning list is a fantastic tool to keep near and dear. Glance at this wedding planning timeline every so often to make sure you’re on track and haven’t skipped over anything. Trust me, once you have a wedding planning guide right in front of you, holding your hand, you won’t feel so overwhelmed through this exciting yet nerve wracking process.

Create a wedding binder: First things first is to have a home for all things wedding. This way you’re not searching high and low for that wedding coordinator's business card.

Build your budget: Figure out how much you have to spend right out of the gate, before you spend too much.

Choose your wedding party: This is imperative to decide early on so that you can make sure your wedding party can make the date.

Begin the guest list: Since this could be a lengthy process you should start deciding who’s invited as soon as you can.

Wedding planner or not? At this point you need to decide if you even want to hire a wedding planner, and if so who?

Make reservation at your wedding venue: Since venues book up quickly make sure you snag the date you want at the venue of your dreams before someone else does.

Schedule your wedding officiant: Whether you choose to have a friend, family member, or priest marry you, make sure you schedule them in on your wedding date.

Host an engagement party: Spread the good news!

Hire a wedding photographer (and videographer): Just because this is next on the list doesn’t mean you should rush finding the perfect photographer who will capture your big day in the style you want.

Hire the entertainment: Ask friends for referrals; listen to demos online to find the perfect wedding band or dj.

Caterer meet and greet: Unless you’re getting married at a hotel or a venue that provides you with catering, make sure to meet your caterer.

Send out save the dates!

Buy your dream wedding gown.

Sign up for your wedding registry: It’s customary to sign at least three retail stores.

Bring your wedding to the web: Create a wedding website.

Book your honeymoon.

Decide on bridesmaid’s dresses.

Hire a florist.

Hire a limo.

Choose a wedding cake: The yummiest out of all of your to do’s.

Schedule dress fittings.

Find and book the hair and makeup artist of your dreams.

Give your playlist to the dj or band.

Menu cards: Make sure to print out the menus for the reception if your venue is not taking care of it.

The rings! Make a fun day or two out of finding the perfect wedding bands.

Whether you’re dealing with a princess gown with an oversized train or petite wedding dresses, chances are your dress will require some alterations. When to take your dress to the alterations shop, who to choose, and what to bring are all things to keep in mind when delving into this part of your wedding planning adventure.

WhenWhen you take your gown in for alterations is tricky, because if you take it in too early you run the risk of not fitting in it properly when your day finally comes. In order to avoid a disaster, like your petite wedding dress fitting more like a potato sack, take your gown in approximately two to three months before your last fitting.

WhoIt’s best to take your gown to someone who specializes in wedding dress alterations. Avoid your dry cleaning alterations specialist and stick to someone who has worked with countless gowns of varying style. More than other types of gowns, wedding dresses tend to have complex embellishments, cuts, and details, so choose wisely.

WhatMake sure to bring your wedding shoes, undergarments, as well as your bridal accessories to your fittings. You may not get the perfect length or fit if your entire ensemble isn’t in place when altering your wedding gown.

Whether you work a 9 to 5 or not, being able to check wedding tasks off your to do list online saves you time, gas, and energy. You even have the ability to replace a wedding planner/coordinator with an online wedding planner, if you are so inclined.

Before your fiancé even popped the question, I’m sure you, like most women, did a little online wedding planning. Perhaps you perused wedding ring sites? Even women whose engagement may not be anywhere in site tend to find themselves window-shopping on the Tiffany & Co. online store.

With the luxury of elaborate wedding planning websites like OurWeddingDay for almost any business out there, you’re able to search wedding venues and take virtual tours. This allows you to cut down your list of possible venues before even stepping foot on the property.

You can even design your wedding reception décor online. There are countless wedding blogs, wedding photos from the past, present, and future that will give you more ideas than you’ll know what to do with. Even if you hire a wedding décor designer you’ll have an idea of what you want before you even meet with them.

So you’re engaged! Now what? Many brides have dreamed of their wedding since they were a little girl, but have no idea how to go about implementing their dreams. If you don’t have many demands on your time and can enjoy the learning curve and the creative process, undertaking wedding planning can be fun. However, if your schedule is full and there is always something on your agenda, wedding planning can be a daunting, overwhelming and stressful experience. In such cases, consider hiring a professional wedding planner.

Wedding & Event planners can work with you from start to finish, for just for a few weeks, or manage the wedding day only. Your wedding planner will fine-tune and simplify the process, allowing you to focus on all your other commitments. If you have the time and the motivation to plan your own wedding, a coordinator can still help structure and produce the wedding day. There are many, many facets of wedding planning that a bride and groom have no understanding of. Scheduling when bridesmaids are to have their hair & makeup done, when & where the limos will be, guiding Uncle Joe as to when he needs to walk down the aisle, and coordinating where the videographer will set up are all details that you should not be focusing on your wedding day! Relying on friends or family to orchestrate managing the wedding day is good in theory, but seldom works out well. Nerves, excitement, visiting with those they haven’t seen for awhile, children, phones ringing, vendors coming & going, etc. tend to distract even those with the best of intentions. The last thing you want on your wedding day is someone who is in charge to be thrown off their game.

Many a wedding planner can assist the DIY bride in how and what to conquer themselves and what not to tackle on their own. Additionally, because planners send a lot of business to catering venues and vendors, many times discounted/better rates are available when planners are used. When all is said and done, the cost of a wedding including a wedding planner can end up being the same if not lower than a wedding in which a planner was not utilized.

If you have any doubts about planning your own wedding from start until finish, at least research the benefits and costs of a planner before assuming one can not be afforded.

Getting married in a castle might seem like a dream come true, but for some lucky brides it’s a reality. Whether you’re fortunate enough to explore this possibility, or you love to window shop, it’s still fun to hear about fabulous wedding locations regardless of the venue.

Thornwood Castle in Lakewood, Washington is one of the most breathtaking “wedding reception halls” in the U.S. This castle offers wedding facilities as well as a bed and breakfast on the property to ensure that you and your hubby as well as your guests have a place to stay.

Another lovely and rather large venue that’s ideal for a massive wedding and big wedding reception is the famous Hearst Castle, which is located in San Simeon. The only catch with this venue, which is more of a perk, is that your guests are required to take an educational tour of the property.

The Castle Inn Riverside, which is situated on the banks of the Little Arkansas River in Kansas is a site to be seen. If the multiple Jacuzzi suites don’t entice you to have your wedding here, or at least make a visit, then the 700-year-old Grecian fireplace or 275-year-old staircase will.

The youngest of all castles in the United States, which was built in 1999 as a private estate, is the Louisiana Castle. If you have your wedding at this venue you won’t have to worry about providing your own wedding reception supplies because chances are they’ve got it covered. It was sold and renovated with the intention of utilizing the space for the sole purpose of weddings. This castle offers a spa, pond, ballroom, garden with a sound system, as well as suites for the newlyweds and their guests.

Every aspect of your wedding will affect the overall success of your big day, especially your wedding timeline. When planning a wedding, be aware that the timing is extremely important. If your timeline is even a tad off it could throw your entire wedding reception off course. The last you’ll want is for your guests to be ravenous by the time their first course finally graces it’s presence on their tables, or for the best man speech to take place before everyone has had time to find their seats. Follow this wedding timeline template, and the last thing you’ll have to worry about is a timeline train wreck on your big day.

5:00pm Cocktail Hour: Directly following the ceremony, it is customary for the newlyweds and bridal party to take photos, while their guests enjoy cocktails for an hour prior to the reception. Some couples choose to take formal wedding photos prior to the ceremony, if this is you, then enjoy a glass of champagne in your hotel suite (if you’re getting married at a hotel), or a quiet room. If your reception is at a different location than your ceremony, then you’ll have a relaxing limo ride to share a smooch and toast with your new hubby!

6:00pm: At this time the doors to the reception area are open and everyone should be encouraged to take their seats. Wine or champagne is served and dinner orders are taken if the dinners were not pre-ordered.

6:10pm: Newlywed Entrance/First Dance: The bride and groom are welcomed into the main reception area and perform the first dance. It’s not necessary but some choose to have the entire wedding party introduced prior to the bride and groom.

6:25pm: Serving of first course.

6:35pm: The parents of the bride welcome the guests and thank them for coming.

6:40pm: The best man makes his toast, and the maid of honor’s toast follows.

6:50pm: The main course is served and other family members are welcomed to make speeches in honor of the bride and groom, including the parents of the groom.

7:20pm: The dance floor is open to guests.

8:30pm: Best Man/Maid of Honor Dance, as well as the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dance.

8:45pm: The cake cutting takes place.

8:50pm: At this time the servers offer guests coffee or tea, or more wine or champagne.

There is countless wedding planning advice that you should keep in mind when putting together one of the most important days of your life, and sticking to a timeline is one of the most important, and could save you from wedding day disasters. If you need any more guidance on this topic, feel free to contact wedding coordinators if you haven’t already.

One of the best ways to personalize your wedding and have a unique wedding ceremony is to present special readings, often given by close friends, family members, or parents. Here are some tips on choosing your wedding ceremony readings:

Choose text from a favorite song, novel, or poem that captures your relationship. If you don't feel comfortable speaking the wedding ceremony readings yourself, you can have a member of the bridal party (or the wedding officiant) read them.

Look up quotes online, or in a book of quotes, that express what you want to say. Then, in the vein of that quote, continue to expound on its meaning in your own words, and why it is relevant to you and your future spouse.

Write your own wedding ceremony vows. When writing your vows, it is important to write them as if you are speaking only to your future husband or wife, and not write them as a performance for your wedding guests. The vows should be expressed genuinely, straightforwardly, and honestly.

When writing vows, remember to express not only how you feel about the other person, but also how you intend to commit your life to them and make them happy. Some people write wedding vows that simply include how the other person makes them feel, or what they like about that person. Remember that the purpose of wedding vows is to proclaim your love and commitment to that person.

The fantastic aspect of having a wedding in this day and age is that you can have your very own online wedding planner! Even if you decide to hire a wedding planner, there are so many great resources right here at ourweddingday.com for gathering ideas for all of your wedding decisions such as wedding colors and honeymoon locations.

Gearing up to plan a wedding is no easy task and the first thing you’ll want to do after your engagement is to organize everything you will need to accomplish before your wedding day. On OurWeddingDay.com there are tools and ideas galore that will keep you organized and on the right track beginning as early as your engagement all the way to your last stamped thank you note.

On this site you’ll find the following links to help you along your wedding planning path:

Visit any of the following links under “Wedding Ideas” for general wedding planning tips, fashion and beauty advice and ideas, wedding traditions and etiquette, hiring vendors, wedding reception ideas, destination weddings and honeymoon guidance, gift registry, as well as local wedding planning ideas.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg! Visit the home page and peruse around for a better idea of how ourweddingday.com can make planning your wedding much easier than you thought.